Replicating apparatus with locking means

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed which functions in a manner to pass by intermittent drive a member through a printing station for replicating at spaced locations a desired plurality of like imprint presentations. The printing components at the printing station are arranged in cooperation with an index mechanism for indexing the components after each plurality of replications to the next following sequence. The index mechanism comprises a train of geneva-type gears having a plurality of inputs thereto whereby additional replication may be accomplished.

O United States Patent 1191 1111 3,808,969 Pearce May 7, 1974 [54] REPLIC ATING APPARATUS WITH 1,059,276 4/1913 Collins 74/436 LOCKING MEANS 2,593,416 4/1952 Dawson 74/436 X 773,267 10/1904 Spear 101/66 X Inventor: Larry NeilPearce,Oak Park.lll- 2,777,385 1/1957 Bachy ..101/42 2,629,320 2/1953 Baptist 101/77 [73] Asslgnee' Baxter Labm'amms Mono 2,609,746 9 1952 1161561 101/68 Gmve, 2,601,283 6/1952 Helsel 101 70 [22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey [21] Appl' 288172 Assistant ExaminerEugene H. Eickholt Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichard G. Kinney, Esq.; 52 U.S. c1 1111/72, 74/436, 74/569, Samuel B smith lr. Esq.

235/130 R, 235/141, 101/78, 101/93 MN [51] Int. Cl. B4lj 45/00, G06c 25/00 [58] Field 61 Search 101/93 c, 93 R, 59, 75, [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus is disclosed which functions in a manner 1 to pass by intermittent drive a member through a R printing station for replicating at spaced locations at desired plurality of like imprint presentations. The [56] efe en ed printing components at the printing station are ar- UNITED STATES PATENTS ranged in cooperation with an index mechanism for 2 153 881 4 1939 c611 101/66 indexing the components after each Pluraliiy of 3:036:519 5/1962 Sloan etal. 101/19 cations t0 the next following Slfiquencfi- The index 2,567,134 9/1951 Stuivenberg.... 101/19 X mechanism comprises a train of geneva-type gears 1,274,192 7/1918 Ohmer 101 /66 X having a plurality of inputs thereto whereby additional 1,396,002 11/1921 Bianchi 74/436 replication may be accomplished.

137,262 3/1873 Van Vleck... 74/436 2,605,647 8 1952 Duvoisin 74/436 13 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures 0214 i 364 6w Z20 PATENTEDHAY 71914 SHEET 2m 8 .llll WMM u PATENIEUHAY 1 1974 PATENTEI] MAY 7 I974 SHEET 0F 8 PATENTED HAY 7 i974 SHEET 5 [IF 8 SHEET 7 OF 8 PATENTEDRM 7 @924 PATENTED 71974 SHEEI 8 [1F 8 REPLICATING APfARATUS WITH LOCKKNG MEANS This invention relates to the field of printing sequentially through mechanical means a series including a predetermined number of identical displays of indicia at equidistantly spaced locations on a traveling length of material. One important feature of the apparatus is the unique form of indexing mechanism to automatically and positively index the printing mechanism through an ascending sequence of numbers after each series of replications is completed.

Automatic apparatus for printing as is contemplated herein is known and has been in use for some time. Generally, these prior art apparatus incorporate a printing component including a series of movable members presenting alphabetic and/or numeric symbols in some sequence or form as determined by positioning of the same; an indexing or drive component for each member; structure to intercooperate the drive with the members; and a drive mechanism to pass the material to be printed to and through the operative stages of the apparatus. Of necessity, this only briefly describes the prior art which is somewhat replete and, therefore, not subject to full description because of the number of differences in specific operation. While the prior art cannot be fully described, a problem of the prior art can be discussed and it is this problem to which the present invention is directed. This problem is the inability to assure through continued opertion the integrity of the product as created. More particularly, the prior apparatus could not assure, during operation, whether or not there had been a failure in integrity of printing which thereafter had righted itself. Thus, in most prior art operations quality control of the highest order was required to assure that no one member without index carried indicia of different order or that at spaced locations along the member after an indexing operation there would be no reprint of indicia as already printed.

Such control would necessarily be required if the printing operation were to be effected on tubing for use with a blood collection bag, the individual imprints thereafter to fall within and identify the several units known as segments with the blood in the bag itself.

While the particular procedure employed in blood collection, or more particularly the manner and means of classifying the blood collected from a donor as well as later comparison techniques with blood or samples of blood from a recipient forms no direct part of this invention, it may be well to dwell on this procedure for a moment. Thus, blood is collected from a donor using presently conventional techniques. The collected blood is received initially within a pack which is stored after having subjected the blood to certain typing operations. All information, such as blood type, donor identification and so forth may be imprinted directly on or may accompany the pack in some other acceptable manner.

The blood-pack, to permit collection, has associated therewith a length of tubing to provide an ingress path for blood. Normal collection procedures provide that a small volume of the collected blood be retained in the tube, usually a tube-of an extended length, for example, 30 inches or more. Appropriately, however, the retained blood is first combined with a proportional volume of anticoagulant originally within the pack itself.

The tube at spaced locations along its length may carry a marking which serves to locate the position at which a pressure sealing operation is to take place. Thus, by pressure sealing along the tube length at substantially the marking a plurality of closed volumes or segments of donor blood will be provided. These segments are subsequently used in well-known techniques for crossmatching donor and recipient blood samples to determine compatibility.

As may be apparent, there is need for positive correlation of each segment and the bag pack itself. This correlation is provided by the printed indicia code that is replicated at spaced locations along the tube length between the above discussed marking imprints. Therefore, each segment carries an indicia code identical to that of a further segment from the same tube length yet different from that found on any other tube length. l

It should be apparent that a failure of integrity in the printing of members, primarily because of faulty index, for the above purpose necessarily cannot be condoned. The present invention overcomes this problem. In this connection the structure to be described provides positive index through an ascending sequence after each series replication of indicia, and through interlock within all components of the gear'train, no gear is capable of movement independently of movement of a drive gear.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided in a printing apparatus an indexing mechanism including a plurality of ganged geneva gears. The several geneva gears, in the embodiment illustrated, intercooperate in a positive and reliable manner to sequence through an ascending series of numerals.

As will be discussed, each geneva gear provides on a face a plurality of ten pins which intercooperate with a camming tooth carried on the opposed face of a prior geneva gear whereby each pin in order is sequentially moved into a gate and out of the gate following full revolution of the prior gear. The gate is formed within an annular ring disposed on the opposed face of the prior geneva and all geneva gears. The camming tooth is disposed within the opening. The pins are disposed equidistantly spaced about the face, and the pins on each geneva gear are spaced at equal radial distances from the axis of their supporting axle.

The operation and the structural disposition will be more fully described below.

A further aspect of the invention is the provision of tension control of the driven member. To this end the drive means includes spaced pairs of pinch rollers. One pair of pinch rollers, the upstream pair, serves to retard movement of member which is constantly driven thereto under condition of zero tension. To this end the upstream pinch rollers are of equal diameter and of somewhat smaller size than are a forward or downstream pinch roller pair, also including rollers of constant diameter. Thus, the upstream roller which serves the important function of determining the feed length of the member for each intermittent drive period feeds a particular length of member; whereas, the downstream pinch roller pair passes that length plus an increment, determined by the percentage increase in roll size, from the machine. The variation in sizes provide for continuous operation with the member under tension, the amount of which is dependent upon the percentage of increase in size of the forward roller pairs.

According to a further aspect, the'invention concerns the means for imparting movement to a plurality of indicia carrying slide elements. The means include the indexing mechanism heretofore referred to and a like plurality of cam gears driven in spur gear fashion upon index of the geneva gears.

More particularly, each cam gear carries on a face a cam element providing a peripheral contour having at any angular location a diameter through the axis of rotation equal to the diameter at a further location. Associated therewith is an actuator arm movable within a plane including the axis and providing on opposite sides thereof a pair of roller follower members. Each actuator is adapted to be connected to individual ones of the side elements.

By this construction there is positive control of each slide element both through movement in the upward and downward direction. Ramdom movement is obviated. As will be discussed, by providing the cam, at the several index positions, with radii in one direction from the axis through, for example, increasing increments from 1/2 inch (at 1 inch (at l), 2 inches (at 2),...5 inches (at 5) and decreasing increments to 4% inches (at 6), 3 /2 inches (at 7) and finally the return to 1/2 inch (at O), the cam permits a steady ascent through a portion of the revolution and a steady descent of the actuator through the remaining portion of the revolution.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the present invention, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. By the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective and schematic form the mechanical movements that the componentry of the apparatus undergoes;

FIG. 2 is a similar form of presentation of a portion of the apparatus; FIG. 3 is a view in section of the indexing component; 7

FIGS. 4-10 provide a sequential presentation of the intercooperation of a pair of gears of the index component;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view in partial section illustrating the intercooperation of the index components and the printing components;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a portion (the printing component) of the apparatus ofFIGS. 1-11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the printing component depicted in FIG. 12 with parts partly broken away to show interior parts, and with other interior parts shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 14 is a detailed front elevational view of a part of the printing component of FIGS. 12 and 13 with a section of elongated member upon which it has printed an indica;- I

FIG. 15 is sectional side elevational view of a portion of the printing component of FIGS. l2-l4;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the portion of the printing component depicted in FIG. 15 with interior parts shown in phantom lines; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the cutoff mechanism.

The present invention, as will now be discussed in connection with the several drawing figures, is directed to an apparatus capable of replicating indicia of identical makeup at a plurality of equally spaced locations along a length of traveling member. The operation may be carried out usingmaterial of any form, such as flat web or material of circular form, including hollow tubing, wire, to name a few.

The replication may be in the form of an imprintation on the tube or an embossing in the tube, the number of replications being known for each series. And, as will appear apparent the series makeup could be built into the machine using the concepts here involved to accommodate any number of printings for each series.

Generally, the apparatus includes a feed mechanism for feeding the tube material in endless fashion past a printing head including a plurality of side-by-side slide elements adapted to print a makeup of numeric and/or alpha indicia onthe material. The printing head and, more particularly, each individual slide element is controlled by an indexing mechanism which cooperates to position the several slide elements for each series of replications. As may be appreciated, the material is caused to move in synchronism with the several operations and also undergoes a necessary dwell time to facilitate, for example, the printing operation.

In the description which follows, the operation will be discussed in connection with the printing of indicia on tube material. More particularly, the operation will be discussed in connection with the printing of indicia on tubing utilized with a blood collection pack or container.

The indicia may be printed in a series including one of possibly several pluralities of identical imprints, as desired. In the present embodiment the apparatus is adapted to print either 10 or .12 identical imprints throughout a length of tube material.

After each series of printing, which may includenumeric and/or alpha indicia in any combination of sequence character, the apparatus carries out an indexing operation whereby the next in the series of printed indicia is printed on a following length of tubing. Typically the imprinting code will be in the form both of numeric and alpha indicia. With such a combination the alpha indicia may be utilized primarily for denoting a production run and may also function to mark the spaced loca tions on the tube at which a pressure sealing operation may be effected. Either the numeric or alpha indicia or both may be indexed.

FIG. 19 is illustrative of the foregoing. In this connection the Figure represents a length of tubing 20 having indicia 22 imprinted thereon. A typical representative of indicia provides eight units composed of both letters and numbers as, for example, L 2849995. Indicia including either a greater or lesser number of units may also be employed. The tubing utilized may be formed of extruded plastic, as for example polyvinyl chloride.

A tube having approximately 0.1 18 inch i .060 inch inner diameter and a wall thickness of 0.020 inch has been used successfully. The tube, however, may be of any appropriate size or for that matter of any appropriate configuration, i.e., of round or flat form, and the foregoing example should, in no way, be considered limiting.

While the apparatus may index so as to impart movement to each slide element in the printing head, in the present embodiment the element representing the one millions numeric location because of the otherwise infrequent movement which it normally undergoes is manually indexed. The L printing element as well as the X printing element may also be manually adjustable. The latter units will be spaced on three inch centers along the tube.

After the above printing has been replicated the desired number of times, the apparatus is automatically indexed to L 2849996. The next increment of tubing is imprinted through the same length, this operation being followed by a further index and so forth.

Reference may now be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings which represent the apparatus in somewhat schematic form. For the sake of claityto describe the operation these Figures illustrate various drive elements, supporting shafts, etc. which intercooperate to achieve the operation required less frame structure and in some instances mechanical constructions which are discussed in connection with other Figures. The apparatus components may be mounted and supported by any suitable frame structure, portions of which may be seen in the Figures.

The tube material may be supported on an endless roll by the frame structure and unwound (the unwinding feed mechanism is not shown) from the roll through a constant speed drive. In order that the tube material be advanced intermittently under constant tension equilibrium through the operative steps, the unwinding mechanism includes one or more idler arms which maintain some slack in the tube so that it arrives at the first of a spaced pair of pinch rollers at O tension.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tubing from the unwinding feed mechanism is passed to and between the nip of a pair of pinch rollers 26 defining a rearward retard roll assembly. A second pair of pinch rollers 24 defining a forward pull roll assembly provides support for the tube at a location spaced therefrom. Each roller pair is driven through intermittent drive.

The rearward pair of pinch rollers 26 are both of like diameter and both rotate at the same speed. This rearward pair of pinch rollers determines the feed length of the tube which is passed to the printing mechanism and tube length. To this end, if the above is 3 inches of tubing it will be fed past the pinch rollers for every intermittent travel of 180 which they undergo by the provision of a roller pair, the diameter of which will be approximately 2 inches (d 6/1r). The forward pair of pinch rollers are likewise of equal diameter and undergo travel at the same intermittent rate and speed. The forward pair of pinch rollers, however, are of greater diameter than are the rearward pair thereby to introduce to the tube an amount of tension as determined by the percent of increase in diameter. This tension will develop after the tube is threaded at tension or under increased tension conditions through operation of the apparatus. After initial operation, a condition of equilibrium will be reached under either threading condition in the stretched tube and continue through further operation. The percent of increase in the size of pinch rollers 24 may be on the order of from 5 to 10 percent for the desired operation. Thus, the diameter of each roller 24 will be approximately 2.00 inches to 2.10 inches. Therefore, for each 3 inches of tubing fed by roller 26, 3.3 inches of tubing will be fed by roller pair 24. Thus, it is apparent that during feed the system provides a definite amount of stretch to the tube which, through the return memory of the material is nonexistent at the cutting stage.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a motor M provides constant speed drive for shaft 28, the main output shaft. To this end a timing belt 30 is supported by a pair of cogwheels 32, one cogwheel of which is fixed to the motor output shaft while the other cogwheel is fixed to one end of shaft 28. Several operations are carried through movement of shaft 28. One such operation is that of constant unwinding of tube 20.

Motor M also serves to drive shaft 34, the main intermittent drive shaft. Shaft 34, through an. interposed reduction gear box 36, is driven at an intermittent rate such that for each revolution of shaft 28, shaft 34 undergoes a one half revolution. For a portion of this movement, for example within approximately the angular displacement of from 60 to the movement will be constant although faster than the movement of shaft 28. Within the angular displacement up to 60 approximately the movement will develop to the constant speed from zero and return to zero for dwell between and 360 rotation. All intermittent drives will follow this movement. Portions 40 of the frame construction are illustrated in position for supporting the shafts.

Tube 20 is driven by intermittent drive past the various operative mechanisms of the apparatus. As indicated, drive of this type is imparted by the pinch roll pairs 24 and 26, each of which are driven by main intermittent drive shaft 34. To this end a connecting shaft including shafts 42, 44 and an intermediate jack shaft 46, interconnected to the former by a pair of universal joints 48, is driven directly by intermittent drive shaft 34. Drive is imparted through gears 50, 52 and 54. The top roller of roller assembly 26 is driven through its shaft 56, bevel gear 58 and shaft 60. The latter shaft is coupled to shaft 44 by gear pair 62 and 64. The upper and lower rollers of pullroller assembly are driven through shafts 66 and 68 by a bevel gear connection to shaft 42 and shaft 70. The latter shaft is driven by gear 52. Both roller assemblies are driven at constant intermittent speed, following the drive profile of the intermittent shaft 34. The gear ratios are dependent upon the tube length.

The intermittent motion permits a dwell for tube 20 through one half of the full rotational movement of shaft 28 thereby to undergo a complete replication of imprints along a predetermined length of tubing.

The heart of the apparatus is the indexing mechanism which may be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 1-3. The manner of operation of the several gear components may be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 4l0 which will be discussed hereinafter.

The indexing assembly is in the form of a plurality of intercooperating and ganged geneva-type gears. In the present embodiment the assembly includes a six-stage geneva arrangement including geneva gears 102, 104,...112. It should, however, be apparent that either a greater or a fewer number of geneva gears may be employed. In the present embodiment geneva gears 102, 104,...112 provide index for units, tens, hundreds, and so forth.

Each of geneva gears 102, 106 and 110 are mounted for rotation on an axle 114. Axle 114 is stationarily supported within a pair of inserts 116 in frame 40. Axial spacing of the gears on the shaft is maintained by a collar 118 which in turn is keyed to the shaft. A second axle 12 is similarly stationarily mounted by a pair of inserts 122 in frame 40. This second axle supports the geneva gears 104, 108 and 112. A pair of collars 124 and 126, also keyed to the axle, maintain the orientation of gears 104, 108 and 112 with respect to gears 102, 106 and 1 for purposes hereinafter more particularly described.

Each of the geneva gears 102, 104,...112 generally are similar in overall appearance. In this connection, each of the gears carries on one face (the right face as seen in FIG. 3) a plurality of pins disposed equidistantly therearound and at a fixed radial distance from the axis of its supporting axle. On the opposite face the gear provides an upstanding annular surface adjacent the gear periphery and providing an opening or gate therethrough. The'gate will be of a predetermined angular dimension. A stationary tooth is disposed within each gate. Each pair 102-104, 104-106,...110l12 of geneva gears intercooperate by means of the components above discussed to provide index after each series of replications of indicia has been accomplished.

More particularly, FIGS. 4-10 illustrate one intercooperating pair of geneva gears, for example the gears 102 and 104. For purpose of illustrating the particular movement, the Figures illustrate the right face of gear 104 and the left face of gear 102 along a section substantially through the center of gear 102. In the arrangement gear 102 provides a units index while gear 104 provides a tens index. Therefore, gear 102 will necessarily index through ten revolutions for each revolution of gear 104.

Gear 104 carries on its face a plurality of ten pins 130 and on its other substantially planar face an annular flange 132 including an opening or gate 134 through a portion of the total circumference of the flange. A tooth 136 is positioned within the gate and directed substantially toward the gear periphery. Each of the gears 102, 104,...112 are formed to provide the same structure and arranged in the same disposition. As will be later discussed, only the geneva input and the follower genevas will have different construction for reasons to be made apparent.

As may be seen in the Figures, the annular flange and the several pins are located thereby to intercooperate one with the other and through intercooperation lock a driven geneva gear except when the latter is undergoing an indexing movement. More particularly, the annular flange is of a dimension to enable a pin 130b to reside within while a pair of pins 130a and c reside without the flange (FIG. 10) and in substantial contact therewith. Further, the gate is of the necessary angular dimension to permit, upon camming, a pin to exit (pin 130a in FIG. 5) while a subsequent pin (pin 130k in FIG. 8) is permitted to enter the gate as an incident to rotation of geneva gear 102 and the cammed movement imparted to gear 104 through pin a. Necessary tolerances are built in to prevent any binding during movement. Q q

By the construction discussed, there is a positive interlock within the drive train. Thus, in all cases a driven gear is prevented from movement other than as incigear 102, for example, relative to gear 104. The same illustrative sequence would pertain in connection with gear 104 and gear 106 and so forth. The sequence is as follows: gear 102 has indexed through index. of the input geneva from the position of FIG. '7, at which tooth 136 passes by pin 130a, and through the positions of FIGS. 8-10 whereupon it moves to the position of FIG. 4. More will be said about the manner of input drive to the geneva gear 102 as the description continues. In FIG. 4 the pin 130a is illustrated in location to exit gate 134 while the next following pin 13% is illustrated in location to enter gate 134 on. the other side of tooth 136. Movement of gear 102 results in movement of gear 104 by a camming action obtained through intercooperation of tooth 136 and pin 130a. Pin 130a will traverse through an angle of exactly 36 (FIG. 7) through this camming action whereupon pin 1305 will have entered the gate 134. Similar movement and operation continues when each of pins 130c...j enter and leave the gate 134 providing a full revolution of gear 104; gear 102 will have undergone ten revolutions.

The apparatus provides two inputs to the indexing mechanism. Referring to FIG. 3, gear 102 may be driven by one or the other of two input follower units 140 and 142. Both units are mounted for rotation on axle 114 and directly coupled to the gear 102 through pins 144, 146 and 148. In a manner to be more particularly described, the use of one input follower or the other provides for either 10 or 12 replications of indicia within either a 30 or 36 inch tube length, respectively.

Control, andmore particularly the mode of operation, is provided by implementation of shaft 154 which is axially displaceable. Suitable means 155 facilitate movement of the shaft between a first and second position whereby the input geneva 174 is positioned to drive follower 140 or in position to drive follower 142,- respectively. By provision of a plurality (10) of pins 152 on follower 142, a mode of operation whereby l0 replications within a 30 inch tube length may be provided. By provision of a second plurality (12) of pins 150 on follower 140 a mode of operation whereby l2 replications within a 36inch tube may be provided.

To accommodate this operation the shaft is supported both for axial and rotary movement through journal insert 156 mounted by frame 40 and spaced therefrom a set of bearings and bearing support 158. Drive is imparted to shaft 154 through gear teeth 166, 168 of double gear 160. A second double gear 162 including gear teeth 170, 172 is carried by intermittent drive shaft 34. I

Gear is coupled to a collar 164, which in turn is keyed to shaft 154. Positioning of shaft 154 determines which of the individual gear teeth are brought into meshing relationship and permits through the different drive ratio combinations either one of two different modes of operation determined by the angular advance of shaft 154 for each intermittent movement of shaft 34. In the illustration of FIG. 3, the shaft is in the twelve print mode. In this mode the shaft 154 will undergo intermittent advance through an angular movement of 30. In the other mode of operation the shaft 154 will advance through an angular movement of 36 for each intermittent movement of shaft 34. The input geneva gear 174, keyed to the shaft 154, will move in similar fashion.

As illustrated, the input geneva gear 174 is in the twelve print position. Thus, the input geneva will undergo the stated advance for each intermittent advance of shaft 34. However, the follower 140 will necessarily have to be advanced through 36 which is required as an input to the train of geneva gears 1 02, 104,...112. To this end the input geneva 174 provides a flange, gate and camming tooth arrangement on the 12 point side which differ in orientation and construction from that structure on the print side. The latter and the disposition of pins 152 on follower 142 correspond to the structure on geneva gears 102 and so forth since the input and output angular movements are constant.

Cooperating with the input gear, flange construction is a series of twelve pins 150. These pins will be positioned equidistantly around the face of follower 140 yet in different disposition from the positioning of the pins 152 on follower 142. The tooth (not shown) intercooperating with each pin will also be orientated in different disposition, generally projecting further into the gate, so as to contact a pin 142 over a greater surface. Additionally, a tooth construction which differs from the construction of tooth in FIG. 4 will enable the input geneva through advance to advance the follower 140 through 36.

Positioning of the input geneva relative to the input followers 140 and 142 is maintained by collars 176 mounted on shaft 154. A pair of stops 178, 180 on shaft 154 maintain the relative positioning of the gear 160 and collar 164. As also may be apparent from the Figures, the shifter shaft 154 is always interlocked either in one drive ratio or the other. In this connection further positive interlock for the drive train is obtained and no motion will ensue until full movement of the shifter to one of two limit positions. When fully moved the index will be able to sequence, for example from 000010 to 00001 1. No random sequencing will be permitted as a consequence of free wheeling of the indexing geneva gears.

The printing head assembly may be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 2 and 12-16 of the drawings. Generally, the printing head assembly includes a plurality of number strip elements spaced in side-by-side'relation and movable within a vertical plane, a similar plurality of number strip actuators also movable within a vertical plane, and a cam member which is indexed in accor dance with movement of the several geneva gears. Suitably the several strip elements are supported by a housing 200.

Individual gears 202, 204,...212 are mounted in spaced, side-by-side relation on axle 214. The axle 214 is immovably journalled in frame 40 whereas the several gears are mounted for rotation on the shaft. A cam 216 providing a peripheral contour is carried in fixed relation on a respective face of the several gears 202,

204, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 12, adjacent cams are mounted in facing relation one to the other.

Movement of the gears 202, 204, etc. and the several cams 216 follows indexing movement of geneva gears 102, 104, etc. through a spur gear connection in a direct 1:1 ratio. To this end geneva gear 102 drives cam gear 202, geneva gear 104 drives cam gear 204, and so forth.

Cam 216 is formed thereby to provide a constant peripheral diameter. Cooperating therewith are individual actuators 220 including a pairof rollers 218 serving as cam followers. The rollers are disposed at opposite ends of a substantially rectangular cutout within the actuator body, which cutout acommodates the shaft 214 and permits free vertical movement of the actuator as a consequence of indexing movement of cam 216. The pair of rollers introduces positive control in movement. No random movement will be experienced through travel between an upper and lower limit.

The number strip elements are denoted by the numerals 222, 224,...232. As illustrated in FIG. 14, each element provides a first and second series of numbers which from top to bottom on each strip and in series are presented as follows: 0, l 9, 2, 8," 3, 7, 4, 6" and 5. The top series of numbers may be oriented for direct readout while the lower series of numbers are oriented in mirror image and upside down thereby to permit printout, as will be discussed below.

Typically, printout mechanisms will utilize a cam element providing progressively increasing contour whereby the follower will move in increments from zero to a maximum thereafter followed by rapid return to zero. A rapid return, as may be apparent, will under most circumstances introduce a jolt in the mechanism which over a period can produce none but unwanted results. The present construction has obviated this occurrence. Thus, by the particular cam construction, best seen in FIG. 11, progressive incremental movement of cam 216 following each indexing operation will cause the respective number strip element to move upwardly from a bottom limit position at 0 to locate sequentially through steady rise the numbers l, 2,...5 within the printing location 236. Upon further index and rotation of the cam 216 from substantially through 360 each number strip element moves downwardly from the upper limit thereby to locate sequentially through steady fall the numbers 6, 7,...0" at the printing location 236. Similarly because of the provision of two sets of numbers, like indicia will be presented for readout at window 234. Again, the construction obviates the requirement of rapid return of follower to an initial limit position after having traversed each sequential position in either a rise or fall to commence a following sequence and those stresses and strains in equipment caused by such rapid movement are also obviated.

Additional number strips 238, 240 and 242 are also provided. The strip 238 may provide a letter, such as A, B, etc. which maydepict a particular production run. The strip 240 may also provide a letter, such as X," representing the location of pressure seal thereby to form the several segments as discussed above. The strip 242 and additional number strip elements may also be provided, as desired, to represent million units, 10 million units, etc. These latter elements are preferably manually adjustable. This is because of the infrequency of movement required.

FIGS. 12 and 13 best illustrate the support 200 for the printing head components. The support structure is formed by a pair of spaced vertical members 260, 262 which are connected at both the bottom and top by plates 264, 266. Plates 268, 27 provide front and back support. The support is disposed to the rear of the indexing geneva gears (see FIG. 1) although in proximity so that the several cam gears 202,204, etc. may be driven, as discussed.

The vertical members 260 and 262 are apertured for receipt of shaft 214. A pair of collars 272, 274 keyed to the shaft 214 serve to physically locate the members.

An upper housing 276 is mounted 'on the lower support. The housing is generally a closed unit surrounding the several strip actuator elements 222, 224, etc. which are movable under control of the several cams 216. The elements 238, 240 and 242 are likewise disposed within the housing and, as discussed, may be moved manually or else automatically in the fashion of movement of the former elements.

Each of the elements 222, 224,...232 and the elements 238-242 are disposed in substantially side-byside relation within the housing portion for the purpose of printout and readout. As apparent, however, the several cams 216 and their corresponding actuators 220 are spaced apart, as in FIG. 12. Therefore, aside from the inner actuator pair directly coupled to elements 226, 228 the outer pairs of actuators are connected to elements 232, 230, 224 and 222 by strap members 280, 282, 284 and 286, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The housing 276 provides an enlarged backing and plates 288, 289 on its front surface serving to define the viewing window 234 for visual readout. Provision is made for heating the housing for the pinting operation thereby to produce a bonding between the transfer tape and the tubing. To this end the backing supports a plurality of spaced apart heating elements 290. A thermostat 292 or the equivalent is also received by the backing within the ring of heaters to monitor and control the temperature to which the housing is brought. As indicated above, however, the operation also contemplates that an embossing operation may take place under conditions where heating is unnecessary.

Tube 20, supported along its length and intermittently moved by the forward and rearward pinch roll pairs 24, 26, is presented at the printing head for receipt of the proper indicia to be replicated at spaced locations therealong. Simultaneously a strip of paper 300 also is presented at the printing location and with the tube receives in groups of or 12 indicia identical with that indicia received by the tube. In such manner a permanent record may be realized.

The paper strip 300, preferably a vinyl transfer tape, i.e., a tape comprising cellophane which carries a vinyl compound coating, may be supported in endless fashion on a spool (not shown) by the frame structure 40. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the paper is threaded between a tamper head mechanism 302 and the face of the several strip elements. The tube 20 likewise is supported between the tamper head mechanism and the strip element and upon operation of the tamper is moved toward the elements face for printing. The tension imparted to the tube by the pinch roll'pairs and advancing movement will cause both tube and paper release from 12 the printing position upon return movement of the tamper 302.

The paper, as tube 20, is indexed to theprintng head. As previously discussed, movement of tube is through intermittent movement of the pinch roll pairs 24 and 26. Movement of the paper is through movement of constant speed shaft 28.

The drive may be seen to best advantage in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Generally this drive is through operation of a ratchet and pawl arrangement operative upon a complete revolution of shaft 28. The drive may also be obtained through operation of a one-way clutch. In the Figure, the shaft carries at one end an eccentric cam 381 supported for movement thereon. A bell crank 314 is positioned for cooperation with the cam thereby to have imparted thereto movement through each and every cam revolution. More particularly, the bell crank provides a central aperturefor receipt of cam 318 and undergoes a slight pivotal movement about a fulcrum 316 for each revolution. Fulcrum 316 defines the connection of one arm of bell crank 314 and an actuator A push rod 320 is connected between the other arm of bell crank 314 and a pawl 312. Therefore, movement of pawl 312 follows pivotal movement of bell crank 314 about fulcrum 316 and in typical fashion adwound therebetween, frictionally drives the paper upon advance of the ratchet. To enhance frictional engagement the roller 304 may be provided with a serrated peripheral surface. The provision of one or more grooves in the surface permits the use of, for example, a doctor blade which may enter the several grooves and thereby strip the paper from the roller 304. Otherwise, the paper may follow the roller and wind thereon. The doctor blade is not shown.

As indicated, the paper will provide a permanent readout of the indicia received by the tube 20. In order to differentiate between one series of replications and a following sequence after the next series it is necessary that the paper undergo at least an additional incremental advance thereby to present individual groupings of identical indicia. Reposition of the fulcrum 316 thereby to cause the pawl to move througha longer path will accomplish this function.

As discussed, the geneva gear 102 will undergo one revolution for every ten or twelve revolutions of the geneva input 174, as determined by the mode of operation. As illustrated in FIG. 3, geneva gear 102 is coupled to one or the other of follower member 140, 142 through a series of pins 144-148. A cam 322 islikewise coupled to the geneva gear 102 through the pins and will likewise undergo movement as imparted to the geneva gear. FIG. 2 illustrates the cam 322 as supported by axle 114. For the sake of understanding and clarity, however, the coupling structure has been eliminated from the Figure.

Cam 322 provides in its peripheral surface a plurality of ten depressions, only one of which is illustrated. Arm 324 including a cam follower member 326 carried thereon is biased into engagement with the cam surface so that upon each index of geneva gear 102 the cam 322 will similarly index whereby the follower will enter a depression to drop the fulcrum 316 accordingly. This movement is in synchronism with one of the periodic index movements of ratchet 310 so that through a reposition of the fulcrum 316 a double index ensues.

The tamper mechanism may be seen to best advantage in PEG. 2. As illustrated the mechanism is partially defined by a slide assembly including a plurality of cross frame members 402 and 404. The forward cross frame member 402 supports the tamper or platen 302 while the rearward member between a bifurcated extension supports a follower 406. The follower may be supported by a stub shaft between extension elements. The assembly, additionally including a pair of spaced rod members 408, 410, is movable back and forth in the direction of the arrows thereby for each intermittent movement of tube and paper one imprint may be made.

Movement of the assembly will occur at constant intervals through movement of the constant speed shaft 28 and the cam 412 supported thereon. Assembly support may be provided by a pair of cross heads 414 mounted rearwardly and a pair of cross heads 416 mounted forwardly of cam follower 406. The cross heads are suitably mounted on frame 40.

Thereafter, the tube with the series of replications is advanced to a cutting mechanism, best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The cutting operation will be carried out as determined by the mode of operation. Therefore, a tube printed throughout lengths of 30 or 36 inches will derive to be conveyed to a suitable collection station. For purposes of conveyance the apparatus provides an endless belt 500 supported by pulley wheels 502, 504, the latter of which may be driven.

A member 506 having a pair of arms is supported in floating fashion upon a bearing carried by shaft 28 as illustrated in FIG. 18. The member at one arm end supports a follower 508, 509 and at the other arm end (see FIG. 17) supports a pulley 510 for free rotation. A spring 512 biases the member into engagement with a cam arrangement including cams 514, 516 whereby frequency of movement of the member in a clockwise direction will be determined by the intercooperation of either cam 514 or 516 and followers 500 or 509.

The double cam setup is to accommodate the two modes of operation, as described. Cooperation will be established through movement of shaft 154, as described.

A second pulley 518 is carried directly by shaft 28 and movable therewith at constant speed. The pulley 518 and 510 supports a timing belt 520 serving to provide constant driving motion to a cutting blade 522. Normally the blade will reside below the plane of the traveling tube 20 and the guard 524. However, the member will be pivoted clockwise into cutting disposition as determined by the frequency of movement of cams 514, 516.

None of the frame structure has been shown for the sake of clarity. Further, it was considered that such illustration would add nothing to the operative picture. FIG. 11, however, is somewhat more specific and illustrates a pan 600 suitably supported by the frame 40. The pan serves to confine a volume of oil, the typical level of which is illustrated and the purpose of which is to lubricate the several geneva gears 102, 10,...l12 and the cam gears 202,, 204,...212 during operation.

The foregoing describes an apparatus for imprinting a series of identical indicia imprints on both a tube and a tape for readout. Particularly, the apparatus described functions to provide positive index and through interlock of all elements within the gear train obviates any random motion whereby improper printing may obtain. While the invention has been described by reference to the presently preferred embodiment, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the inventive concepts as particularly defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having defined the invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for replicating a desired plurality of like imprint presentations along and at spaced locations upon a longitudinally traveling member, comprising, in combination,

printing means including a plurality of elements carrying indica on a printing face, said elements being movable individually to present indica to a printing zone thereof;

indexing means coupled to said printing means for moving said individual elements to locate desired indica with the printing zone;

means for supporting and moving longitudinally and intermittently said member to and through said printing zone, said movement permitting intermittent longitudinal motion dwell intervals for said member,

means for moving during each dwell interval one of said member and printing means toward the other so that individual ones of said plurality of presentations may be imprinted on said member, and indexing means including a gear train for indexing said printing means after having replicated said desired plurality of like imprints whereby the next following presentation of a sequence is located at said printing zone;

said gear train includes a plurality of cooperable geneva gears;

said plurality of cooperable geneva gears including an input geneva gear, at least one follower member adapted to be driven by said input geneva gear, and means directly coupling said follower member to a first of the remaining cooperable gears; and

a second follower mmber adapted to be driven by said input geneva gear, said coupling means also coupling said second follower member to said first of said remaining cooperable gears.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means coupled to said input geneva gear for moving said input geneva gear into one of two limit positions wherein it is coupled for driving either said first or said second follower member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising drive means for said geneva gears, said drive means including a motor having a constant speed, output shaft, a reduction means including an intermittent movement output shaft, said reduction means cooperable with said constant speed shaft to convert said constant speed movement to intermittent movement, and spur gear means connecting said intermittent movement shaft to said input geneva gear.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spur gear means includes a double gear arrangement for driving said input geneva through one of two selected angular l displacements for each movement of said intermittent shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including an input drive shaft coupled to and mounting said input geneva gear and means coupled to said shaft for axial displacing said shaft whereby said input geneva gear cooperates with one or the other follower member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said geneva gear is mounted for rotation upon fixed shaft means including first and second shafts, a first and alternate one of said geneva gears being mounted on said shafts.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said follower members are mounted for movement on said first shaft, pin means coupling said follower members to said first geneva gear.

8. In a printing apparatus for printing a known plurality of desired imprints at spaced locations along an elongated member comprising, in combination:

printing apparatus;

an index mechanism coupled to said printing apparatus for indexing and printing apparatus to a next sequential presentation after having printed said known plurality of imprints on said member,

said index mechanism including a pluralityof ganged geneva gears;

input drive means for said genevagears, and at least one follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears for driving the latter,

which further includes a second follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears, and means coupled to said input drive means for positioning said input drive means thereby to impart movement to one of said follower members.

9. In a printing apparatus for printing a known plurality of desired imprints at spaced locations along an elongated member comprising, in combination:

printing apparatus;

an index mechanism coupled to said printing apparatus for indexing said printing apparatus to a next sequential presentation after having printed said known plurality of imprints on said member.

said index mechanism including a plurality of ganged geneva gears,

input drive means for said geneva gears, and at least one follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears for driving the latter;

each said geneva gear being mounted for rotation upon fixed shaft means including first and second shafts, said first and alternate ones of said geneva gears being mounted on said first shaft;

said follower members being mounted for movement on said first shaft, and

means for directly coupling each of said follower members to said first geneva gear.

10. Apparatus for replicating a desired plurality of like imprint presentations along and at spaced locations upon a longitudinally traveling member, comprising, in combination:

printing means including a plurality of elements carrying indica on a printing face, said elements being movable individually, to present indica to a printing zone thereof;

indexing means coupled to said printing means for moving said individual elements to locate desired indica with the printing zone;

means for supporting and moving longitudinally and intermittently said member to and through said printing zone, said movement permitting intermittent longitudinal motion dwell intervals for said member, means for moving during each dwell interval one of said member and printing means toward the other so that individual ones of saidplurality of presentations may be imprinted on said member, and said indexing means including a gear train for indexing said printing means after having replicated said desired plurality of like imprints whereby the next following presentation of a sequence is located at said printing zone;

said gear train includes a plurality of cooperable geneva gears;

said printing elements comprise slide members;

means responsive to movement of said indexing means for moving individually said slide members;

a plurality of gear members equal in number to the number of geneva gears in said gear train, each of said gear members being mounted for movement and driven directly by said geneva gears; and

each gear member supports a cam member, a follower for each cam, and means connecting each follower toa respective slide member for movement of said slide in response to movement of said cam.

ll.The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each cam provides a peripheral contour of constant diameter.

12. In apparatus for replicating indica at spaced intervals along an elongated member, which indica are replicated in a sequence of sets of a predetermined number of spaced adjacent identical indica, and which adjacent sets of repeated identical indica differ from each other in accordance with a preset rule, the improvement in a counting and indica changing mechanism, comprising an input member (102) which rotates as a function of each replication of an indica; a rotatable follower member (104) which is rotatabl advanced a portion of a revolution bysaid inputin accordance with a fixed rule; locking means (a, 130b, 132) associated with said members, for indexing and locking said follower member in a fixed rotational position for dwell periods intermediate its advancement by said input member in accordance with the fixed rule, while allowing said input member to rotate, said follower member being coupled to the indica producing mechanism in a manner to allow the changing of the indica only when the follower member is advanced to a selected rotational position;

whereby a number of replications is counted by advancing the follower member while the possibility of producing individual indica not identical to the others of its set is reduced or prevented by the locking means.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said improved counting and indica changing apparatus includes, as

part of the coupling means: I

a third member advanced by said follower member,

and

additional lockingmeans associated with said third member and said follower member for indexing and locking said third member in a fixed rotational position for dwell period intermediate its advancement by said follower member.

it I i '0! UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE: CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTI'ON Patent No. 3 969 Dated May '7, 1974 Inventor(s) La'rrv Neil Pearce It is certified that error appears in the above -idehti fied patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below]:

Column 1 line 30, delete "opertion" and insert) operation .r

Column 5, lihe 27, delete "clait'y" and insert clarity Columnh, line 45, delete "tubing" and insertftube Co1umn 7 'i' 1 3,- delet'ei"12" e'nd iner mg 4- Column llline 23, before seri es" ihsert 'e' h Column 12,."1- 1lne- 14, delete "381" and insert- Column 14:," line 47, delete "i fiBf" arid inserlz; filniher Column 16,- line 43 after "input f in ert memher j."

Signed end sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: I 4 McCOY M. GIBSON j JR. c. MARSHALL :DA'NN Attesting Officer Commissioner" of Patents 1 FORM 904050 uo-s) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 CERTIFIGATE OF CORRECTIUN Patent No. 3 808; 969 Dated May 7, 1974 n fl Larry Neil Pearce: d

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below]:

Column 5, line 27, delete "clait'y" and insert lclarity Column 5 line 45, delete "tubing" and inserttube Column 7 line 13, de let e:" 12" and 1 2'( Column line 23, before seriesl' ihsert Co1umn 12,1;llne- 14, delete "381" and inse rt 3l8 1 Column 14, line 47, delete "mnl'bf'l arid insert 'l henilfier Column 16, line 43', after impu ineert member v."

Signed and sealed this 3rd 'day off-December 1974.

Column 1; line 30, delete "opertion" and insert opei'ati'on (SEAL) Attest: d v McCOY M. GIBSON, J R. c. MARSHALL DA NN Attesting Officer Conunissioner-Cof Patents 1 F ORM 90-1050 M 0-69) uscomm-oc suave-m v U,S. GOVIIIO'IINT mum: omct "li o-Gib: 

1. Apparatus for replicating a desired plurality of like imprint presentations along and at spaced locations upon a longitudinally traveling member, comprising, in combination, printing means including a plurality of elements carrying indica on a printing face, said elements being movable individually to present indica to a printing zone thereof; indexing means coupled to said printing means for moving sAid individual elements to locate desired indica with the printing zone; means for supporting and moving longitudinally and intermittently said member to and through said printing zone, said movement permitting intermittent longitudinal motion dwell intervals for said member, means for moving during each dwell interval one of said member and printing means toward the other so that individual ones of said plurality of presentations may be imprinted on said member, and indexing means including a gear train for indexing said printing means after having replicated said desired plurality of like imprints whereby the next following presentation of a sequence is located at said printing zone; said gear train includes a plurality of cooperable geneva gears; said plurality of cooperable geneva gears including an input geneva gear, at least one follower member adapted to be driven by said input geneva gear, and means directly coupling said follower member to a first of the remaining cooperable gears; and a second follower mmber adapted to be driven by said input geneva gear, said coupling means also coupling said second follower member to said first of said remaining cooperable gears.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means coupled to said input geneva gear for moving said input geneva gear into one of two limit positions wherein it is coupled for driving either said first or said second follower member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising drive means for said geneva gears, said drive means including a motor having a constant speed, output shaft, a reduction means including an intermittent movement output shaft, said reduction means cooperable with said constant speed shaft to convert said constant speed movement to intermittent movement, and spur gear means connecting said intermittent movement shaft to said input geneva gear.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spur gear means includes a double gear arrangement for driving said input geneva through one of two selected angular displacements for each movement of said intermittent shaft.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 including an input drive shaft coupled to and mounting said input geneva gear and means coupled to said shaft for axial displacing said shaft whereby said input geneva gear cooperates with one or the other follower member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said geneva gear is mounted for rotation upon fixed shaft means including first and second shafts, a first and alternate one of said geneva gears being mounted on said shafts.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said follower members are mounted for movement on said first shaft, pin means coupling said follower members to said first geneva gear.
 8. In a printing apparatus for printing a known plurality of desired imprints at spaced locations along an elongated member comprising, in combination: printing apparatus; an index mechanism coupled to said printing apparatus for indexing and printing apparatus to a next sequential presentation after having printed said known plurality of imprints on said member, said index mechanism including a plurality of ganged geneva gears; input drive means for said geneva gears, and at least one follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears for driving the latter, which further includes a second follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears, and means coupled to said input drive means for positioning said input drive means thereby to impart movement to one of said follower members.
 9. In a printing apparatus for printing a known plurality of desired imprints at spaced locations along an elongated member comprising, in combination: printing apparatus; an index mechanism coupled to said printing apparatus for indexing said printing apparatus to a next sequential presentation after having printed said known plurality of imprints on said member. said inDex mechanism including a plurality of ganged geneva gears, input drive means for said geneva gears, and at least one follower member coupling said input drive means and the first of said ganged geneva gears for driving the latter; each said geneva gear being mounted for rotation upon fixed shaft means including first and second shafts, said first and alternate ones of said geneva gears being mounted on said first shaft; said follower members being mounted for movement on said first shaft, and means for directly coupling each of said follower members to said first geneva gear.
 10. Apparatus for replicating a desired plurality of like imprint presentations along and at spaced locations upon a longitudinally traveling member, comprising, in combination: printing means including a plurality of elements carrying indica on a printing face, said elements being movable individually, to present indica to a printing zone thereof; indexing means coupled to said printing means for moving said individual elements to locate desired indica with the printing zone; means for supporting and moving longitudinally and intermittently said member to and through said printing zone, said movement permitting intermittent longitudinal motion dwell intervals for said member, means for moving during each dwell interval one of said member and printing means toward the other so that individual ones of said plurality of presentations may be imprinted on said member, and said indexing means including a gear train for indexing said printing means after having replicated said desired plurality of like imprints whereby the next following presentation of a sequence is located at said printing zone; said gear train includes a plurality of cooperable geneva gears; said printing elements comprise slide members; means responsive to movement of said indexing means for moving individually said slide members; a plurality of gear members equal in number to the number of geneva gears in said gear train, each of said gear members being mounted for movement and driven directly by said geneva gears; and each gear member supports a cam member, a follower for each cam, and means connecting each follower to a respective slide member for movement of said slide in response to movement of said cam.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each cam provides a peripheral contour of constant diameter.
 12. In apparatus for replicating indica at spaced intervals along an elongated member, which indica are replicated in a sequence of sets of a predetermined number of spaced adjacent identical indica, and which adjacent sets of repeated identical indica differ from each other in accordance with a preset rule, the improvement in a counting and indica changing mechanism, comprising an input member (102) which rotates as a function of each replication of an indica; a rotatable follower member (104) which is rotatably advanced a portion of a revolution by said input in accordance with a fixed rule; locking means (130a, 130b, 132) associated with said members, for indexing and locking said follower member in a fixed rotational position for dwell periods intermediate its advancement by said input member in accordance with the fixed rule, while allowing said input member to rotate, said follower member being coupled to the indica producing mechanism in a manner to allow the changing of the indica only when the follower member is advanced to a selected rotational position; whereby a number of replications is counted by advancing the follower member while the possibility of producing individual indica not identical to the others of its set is reduced or prevented by the locking means.
 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said improved counting and indica changing apparatus includes, as part of the coupling means: a third member advanced by said follower member, and additional locking means associated with said third member and said foLlower member for indexing and locking said third member in a fixed rotational position for dwell period intermediate its advancement by said follower member. 